Friday, April 26, 2013

In less than a couple of days I’ll be running my tenth marathon. So, why the Eugene Marathon? My great running friend, Felix wanted to run this one, so I had to say, YES! It’s going to a fun race weekend! As well, it’ll be a little different as I won’t have any family members around. I’m missing them already, but there will be a heightened focus on the race.

The Eugene Marathon seems to have all of the bases covered in tracking runners during the race. Check them out below.

Online: Your fans can track you through the Eugene Marathon home page on race day. Just follow the "Track a Runner" link (only available on race day) to find live, race split updates.

Text/Facebook/Twitter: You can sign up to have split updates posted to your FB/Twitter accounts. Set up your accounts through ChronoTrack Live. >>Click Here

Live Finish Line Video: Tell your distant fans your approximate finish time and they can watch you finish! Access to the live finish line video from our home page(only available on race day).

As well, I’m planning on using RunKeeper during the race so that I can be tracked throughout the race. I will have RunKeeper Live enabled and you should see the link on Twitter, my FaceBook page, or on my RunKeeper Profile page immediately after the race starts.

My bib number is 2925 and Felix’s bib number is 2581. With both of us having my daughter’s favorite number 25 in our bib number, it’s going to be an awesome race!

So… what’s my goal? My Marathon PR is 3:58. I’m planning to shoot for 3:45 which is an overall pace of 8:35. My training has been great and I feel strong. This goal still scares me, but I guess it should.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Everyone loves to hear their name! A song by Destiny’s Child even proves it – Say My Name! This is especially true when you’re pushing through a marathon or anything challenging. I never competed in team sports except for bowling, but we won’t count that one. One of the super cool parts of running a marathon are the cheers from the spectators. Most are there cheering for their family and friends, but if they see your name, they will definitely yell it! The adrenaline boost is so worth it! I actually get goose bumps sometimes when I get cheered on at a race. Yep, I like to experience it all!

There’s nothing like hearing your name when you’re getting drained of energy and toppled with soreness. I wore my name on my shirt during my first marathon in 2009. It was a very special marathon. Your first will always be special! It’s always cool when I hear my name at races from friends and family, but as well when spectators read it on my race bib.

If it’s your first marathon or you need that extra push during a race, get your name on your shirt in a big font. I went to a local team sports store and had them put it on one of my shirts. Hearing your name will add to the whole race experience!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Let’s face it, marathon training is a lot of hard work! It takes consistency and commitment to achieve that 26.2 goal! However, there’s FUN to be had when running. Embrace your inner-kid and have fun! I’m 46, but I like to act 16 when I get a chance. Running allows that for more.

I like being goofy and making others smile! I don’t remember how it started, but I thought it’d be funny if I drew smiley faces on my calves with a Sharpie. It always gets a laugh when running in races. If I made at least one person smile or laugh during a race – mission accomplished! I usually always get comments that people like my smiley faces.

Pics of my smiley faces!

During one sweltering hot Texas race, one of my friends yelled out that my smiley faces turned into frowns because it was so hot. I also got some laughs when I forgot about my smiley faces while shopping at a Walmart after a race.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a cross country race finish. It doesn’t matter what place those teenagers are in… they give it their all at the end. Cross Country season has been over since the fall, but I got to see a great cross country finish when Cairo finished the Fairview Half Marathon on Saturday morning.

As you can see in the video, my finish is a bit lack luster compared to his. It was so cool to hear the announcer say, “Uh oh, folks, we’ve got a race to the finish!” Cairo turned it up and passed the guy in the gray shirt. That guy definitely tried to keep up, but it’s hard to keep up with youth.

Cairo PR’ed with a time of 1:45:07 and placed 1st in his age group. Super proud of him! Psssttt… I did edge Cairo out a bit with a time of 1:43:40, but placed 4th in my age group.

When I near the finish line, I really think of finishing “Cross Country Style”, but I feel like I’ve expended all of my energy out on the entire distance. It’s definitely exciting to see Cairo finish that way. Maybe we’ll finish the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon “Cross Country Style” together. I’ll save some in the tank for that last push!

Monday, April 1, 2013

The last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing hill training at a pretty daunting hill. It’s a crazy sucker. For the locals, it’s the Windhaven hill west of Midway on the border of Plano and The Colony. I’ve been meeting a group of runner friends from the North Texas Runners there on Tuesday nights. I’m pretty darn nervous all day Tuesday as I know that I’ll be pushing myself. Hill training is a must for me as it not only builds strength, but builds on my true grit determination.

The first week I started at 5 repeats and then each week I’ll be adding 1 more repeat until I get to 10 for the Cleveland Marathon. The first few climbs, I’m good and positive. By time I get to the last couple of inclines, negative talk starts creeping in my head… there’s no way that I can finish this out. We’re going to have walk the last one. I cannot move my legs anymore. I cannot get enough oxygen into these darn lungs fast enough! Control your breathing!

When all of the negative things were popping in my head, I thought about a picture I found posted on I Love to Run’s FaceBook page. It simply says, “You will want to stop. Don’t.” I kept thinking that and saying it over and over in my head. Before I knew it, I was at the top of the hill and I didn’t collapse or die! I really did want to stop, but I didn’t.

I also read somewhere that our brain will give out before our bodies. I believe in this as my body has been able to do so much more than I ever thought was possible. I’ll be thinking on this at the the end of challenging races, because when I give it my all, I do want to stop.